Orchestra gets keys to new home

The new home for the orchestra is alongside the Wales Millennium Centre. Photo: Chris Stock

The keys for the new home of BBC National Orchestra of Wales have been handed over.

BBC Hoddinott Hall, a new purpose-built home on the Wales Milliennium Centre (WMC) site, is complete and will open at the beginning of next year.

The hall has been named after composer Alun Hoddinott who was linked with the orchestra for many years.

BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said it will be a world class venue for a world class orchestra.

She added: "We are delighted with the progress to date and we are working hard on plans for an exciting launch in the New Year."

Structural building work is complete at the venue which was designed by the Cardiff office of Capita Architecture, which also worked on the Wales Millennium Centre.

BBC Hoddinott Hall will have office and rehearsal space and a performance hall with seats for an audience of up to 350.

There is also a recording studio in the building.

Lesley Hatfield (centre), leader BBC National Orchestra of Wales was among those at the handing over ceremony

Construction work started in April 2007 and acoustic tests have been carried out in time for the orchestra's move to the hall at the end of this year.

It will then be officially opened to the public and two weeks of celebratory events will take place next year.

Rob Firth, head of Capita Architecture, said the aim of the design is to "complement and enhance the existing building and performance spaces" at the WMC - while create a bespoke building.

He said: "We've also taken great care to ensure that precise details, such as the hall's acoustics, are of an international standard."

Studio

The name of the studio area will be the Grace Williams studio and will provide more rehearsal space and will be home to the orchestra's education and community outreach work.

Workshops, master classes, small-scale rehearsals and performances could also be held in the Grace Williams studio.

She was a pupil of Vaughan Williams and was one of the three major Welsh composers of the 20th Century.

Many of her works were written in response to BBC commissions and it is planned that her second symphony will be performed in the opening season of concerts in BBC Hoddinott Hall.

The orchestra's programme of concerts in Wales includes their series at St David's Hall in Cardiff and the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea as well as twice-yearly visits to north Wales will continue.